Taxi and private hire vehicle delays expected as drivers celebrate Eid ul-Adha
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Passengers in parts of the UK could face longer-than-usual waits for taxis and private hire vehicles over the coming days, as many drivers take time off to mark the Islamic festival of Eid ul-Adha.
The religious holiday, which is widely observed across the Muslim world, began last night and continues through to Tuesday 10 June. Although not a public holiday in the UK, it is traditionally a time when Muslim communities gather with family and friends—prompting many taxi drivers, a significant number of whom are Muslim, to step away from work temporarily.
Several taxi firms have issued notices to alert customers to the potential disruption.
City Centre Central Taxi, in a message shared on social media, said:
“We would like to wish all our customers a happy Eid. Due to the high number of drivers celebrating Eid we ask our customers to be considerate with slight delays. We will provide you with a service to the best of our ability as always. We appreciate your patience and trust with our company and we look forward to serving all your taxi needs.”
Similarly, Kidsgrove-based Alpha Grove Taxis issued a statement warning of limited availability:
“Please be aware that we anticipate being short on drivers on Friday, June 6, as many of our team observe the joyous Eid Festival. This means our wait times may be significantly longer than usual and availability might be limited. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans. We are doing our best to manage services with the drivers available. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this special time. Eid Mubarak to all celebrating.”
Passengers are advised to plan journeys in advance, allow extra time for pickups, and consider booking ahead where possible.
